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The UK Dependant Visa allows spouses, partners, and children of individuals with UK visas like the Skilled Worker or Student visa to live with them in the UK.
This includes your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (with proof of a genuine relationship), and children under 18. Children above the age of 18 may be eligible if they are already dependents in the United Kingdom and financially reliant on the primary applicant. Parents, siblings, and other extended family members are ineligible.
1. Submitting online applications through the UK Home Office website.
2. Paying the visa cost and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS allows access to NHS healthcare. Adults pay £1,035 per year for a skilled worker dependent visa, while minors under the age of 18 pay £776. All dependents on a Student Dependant Visa must pay £776 per year.
3. At a Visa Application Centre (VAC), provide biometric information (fingerprints and digital image).
4. Submitting supporting documents, such as proof of relationship, evidence of financial maintenance, accommodation details, a Tuberculosis (TB) test (if required), a police clearance certificate (if the main applicant needed one), and proof of sole responsibility if only one parent is applying with a child.
5. Waiting for a decision, which usually takes around 3 weeks.
Financial Requirements for Dependents
Dependants must prove they can be supported without public funds.
1. For a Skilled Worker dependent visa
The requirements are £285 for a spouse/partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child. These funds must be held in the applicant's or sponsor's bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying, unless the main applicant has lived in the UK for 12 months or more.
2. For Student dependent Visa
The requirements are £845 per month (up to 9 months) if the course is in London and £680 per month (up to 9 months) if the course is outside London. These funds must be held in the applicant’s bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before the application date.
Applying From Within the UK Dependants already in the UK may be able to extend their stay if the main applicant is extending their visa or switch to a **UK dependent visa** from an eligible visa type (e.g., from a student visa to a UK Spouse visa).
However, switching to a dependent visa from a Visitor visa, Short-term study visa, Parent of a Child Student visa, or Seasonal Worker visa is not permitted; applicants in these categories must leave the UK and apply from their home country.